Vindicative and Vindictive
THE judgment of God in the punishment of the finally impenitent will not be vindictive in its nature, but rather vindicative. God will not punish a man because He has a grudge against him, from petty spite, or through feelings of revenge. This would be vindictive, the same spirit that prompts man to revenge on his fellow some real or fancied wrong. In the destruction of the wicked will be manifested the highest exhibition of God's love. "God is love," and every act and attribute of His character is one of supreme love for all His creatures. Sin produces sorrow, misery, and wo. To prolong the lives of the impenitent would be but to prolong their misery and suffering. God in love takes from them that life which of itself has become a burden. In all this He vindicates His own honor, and contributes to His own glory and the happiness of His people.